A Spectacular Church Parade

Without a doubt, a significant highlight of the spring is the Church Parade. Cadets of the 254 take this as a sense of duty as they don their Highland doublets, kilts, sporran, white belts, and spats. The result is a spectacularly attired cadet corps formed up on the Tanna Turf ready to march for Church Parade. Our Corps RSM, CWO Elizabeth Hardy '24, gave the command to march at 2:15 pm, and off we went with Drum Major, MWO Samantha Mayer '24, leading the way and our corps music bands following. With the steady “thump, thump” of the bass drum the corps kept in step. For those who resided in the town of Windsor they had the opportunity on an otherwise quiet Wednesday afternoon to observe a spectacular sea of red and green as the corps of 375 cadets marched to Christ Church.

Our drumline, mil band, and pipes and drums provided us with music for the march. Pipe Major, MWO Ezra Sasaki '26, piped Scotland the Brave amongst other lively tunes for the march. The drumming was excellent and the handful of practices before the big day showed that they had not lost a step in performing.

The Colour Party proudly carried our colours with Head Boy WO Spencer Johnson '24 carrying the King's Colour, WO Renee Olsen '25 the Regimental Colours, Sgt Mollybeth Dickinson '26 as the Senior Escort, Sgt Chris Turgeon Caseley '26 as the Regiment Colour Escort and Sgt Tommy Upton '26 as the King’s Colour Escort.

 

It seemed to only take minutes to march to downtown Windsor. Upon arriving at Christ Church the RSM halted the corps and then turned the parade over to her DSM, MWO Fox Sullivan '24. The DSM then dismissed the corps. Our Colour Party lined the steps as each member of the corps went single file into the church. We were greeted with a smile and each sat with their respective company or went on to various roles as readers, servers, and chapel prefects.

The service got underway once everyone was seated followed by the procession which included chapel prefects, readers, Head of School Mr. Joe Seagram and Chaplain Rev'd David Curry. The Colour Party then presented the colours to the chaplain.

There were so many highlights in my first Church Parade as the new commanding officer. One was the reading of “To Govern is to Serve” which was so very eloquently read to us. We learned that servant leadership bears the image of Christ. We are to lead not by power or dominating over others but through kindness and consideration.

My thanks goes out to Chaplain Rev’d David Curry who worked tirelessly in all aspects of the Church Parade, Cadet Operations Officer CI Kiaya Lakes for ensuring our cadets were attired in the Highland kit and assisting with planning for this event, our corps RSM CWO Elizabeth Hardy who spectacularly commanded the corps, Mr. Alan Dick for the logistics of route and safety planning, our CIs for their leadership and training cadets, faculty who were stationed at intersections so the 254 could march through town, and very importantly our cadets are to be commended for such an impressive parade and for serving others well.

It indeed was a spectacular Church Parade in my maiden voyage as new CO as the good reverend puts it. Very well done to the cadets of the 254. I am very proud of you.